Welding

[walt.buskey]

Ditto going to a local vo-tech school and taking a welding course, it'll be money well spent. I did that several years ago and it was a big help. Though I also wouldn't trust myself to do a professional job on an airplane, it was definitely a big help for other projects around the house.

Maybe I'm old school, but I still prefer welding with gas; fortunately, I ended up with a nice, compact "B" tank set-up after my refrigeration days. I also have a flux-core WF welder, but still go for the oxy-acetylene first!

[MichiganPacer]

I have an OA rig and a PrimeWeld TIG225X.
I don't do much welding, but these seem to be all I will ever need for welding in the garage.

[Jim Hann]

I don't weld, neither does my (Missouri born but Alaska experienced) IA. The welder(s) my IA and I used for my tailwheel. They both do gas, only Chrissy (seated) does TiG. In her past she was a jewelry smith and a naval architect. The welds weren't art but according to folks who know they are good welds. Hey, she is 71!

That said I would love to learn but I don't think I'll have the time to get and stay proficient in TiG.

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[tim bandy]

Definitely take a community college 1 semester Tig or gas class- which ever one you like. Someone to SHOW YOU-- will make things much clearer much faster.

miller makes small DC only (steel+stainless steel- no al.) units that can be had used for 600-1000$ from craigs list or facebook marketplace. They are 150 amp inverters. But that will be plenty for tubing.

Find a fun project and weld for a couple of weeks every day on it. you will be much better when you are done.
likely won't need to do aluminum (unless you just want to learn that too) - that adds another 2500$ to the machine.....

[dgapilot]

If you want something to practice, try the Precision Tube Laser hurricane kit. Great practice but heavier wall than used in aircraft.